Alcohol suspected in southwest Calgary head-on crash: police

Calgary police said they suspect alcohol was a factor in a serious collision in the community of Woodbine on Thursday that injured two people.

The crash happened on 24 Street S.W. just south of Anderson Road S.W. at around 6:30 p.m.

According to police, a Ford Escape was travelling southbound on 24 Street when it crossed over the median and into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a Toyota Highlander.

The driver of the Ford, a man in his 60s, was rushed to hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

The driver of the Toyota, a woman in her 60s, was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

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Police said they received a call just moments before the crash about a driver who was possibly impaired and leaving an area restaurant, later identifieyd as the Oakridge Boston Pizza.

“Calgary police were called by witnesses at a restaurant north of this location, saying that someone was leaving there who had had far too much to drink and was insisting on getting into his vehicle,” Sgt. Joerg Gottschling said.

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Gottschling added that the description of both the impaired driver and his vehicle was the same as the driver of the Ford.

The Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission has launched its own investigation into the actions of staff at the Oakridge Boston Pizza, following a complaint from a concerned citizen.

Boston Pizza issued a statement Friday morning, saying they couldn’t comment on the incident as it’s part of an active police investigation.

“Boston Pizza takes the service of alcohol in our establishments very seriously for the safety of our guests, our staff and our communities,” reads the email from spokesperson Jordan Holm. “All Boston Pizza restaurant employees that are involved with the service of alcohol must complete the government training program mandated by their province (e.g. Alberta is Pro Serve). In addition, Boston Pizza has developed an internal training program regarding the service of alcohol which all staff in that capacity must complete annually.”

With files from Jill Croteau